About Us
FORMATION
Rotary International’s first presence in Western Jamaica was established with the formation of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay in 1961. From that time onwards, the possibility of a second club was contemplated a number of times, but it was not until 1989 when serious consideration was given to such a venture. Two years after, and with the encouragement of Past District Governors Al Casserly and Barry Rassin, Past President, George Palmer who had recently formed the District’ Foundation Alumni Association, was asked to spearhead a committee for a new club’s formation.
With the support of many Rotarians of the "Mother" Club, in January 1992, George Palmer presented to the Rotary Club of Montego Bay a proposal for the sponsorship of a new Club. The reasons given were; the city possessed the population to expand Rotary’s presence through another club and the convenience members would gain by having easier opportunities of "Making-up" by not having to undergo lengthy distances at night to other Clubs in Western Jamaica to do so. At that time, attendance regulations were more severe and members were very aware of the risks regarding the loss of membership through unavoidable absences. The President at the time was Ripton MacPherson who gladly accepted the idea of a new club and gave the proposal his Club’s blessing. The proposition was made to the District Governor and within weeks George Palmer was appointed his Special Representative in the formation of a new club.
DGSR George Palmer, as he became known, chose Max Southby and Duncan Sharp, who are now Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay, as his assistants in the creation of the “New Club Formation Committee”. Work started early in February 1992 with a formal invitation dated 11 February 1992 to fifty-seven men in and around the city of Montego Bay. On 25 February 1992, the following resolution was presented and passed at the meeting of the Sponsor Club:
WHEREAS the Rotary Club of Montego Bay has undertaken to sponsor a new Rotary Club in Montego Bay hereafter called the Provisional Club and that Provisional Club share territorial boundaries of the Sponsor Club,
BE IT RESOLVED that we the Sponsor Club, under Article 1 Section 1(C) of the By-Laws of Rotary International, agree to EQUALLY share the territorial limits assigned to us by Rotary International with the Provisional Club.